Living the life within your means while saving costs is such a big flex for backpackers. And because both Hua Hin and Phuket are great travel destinations for staycations, travelers on a budget often wonder which is cheaper to visit and experience tourist-like activities and have fun. In an attempt to identify which is cheaper, we will quickly examine the cost of visiting and staying in both cities.
Is Hua Hin Cheaper than Phuket?
Irrespective of the destination, when it comes to cost, certain factors such as feeding, transportation, and accommodation are the major ones to take into consideration. This is because, on arrival, travelers need a place to stay, food to eat, and means to move around the city to be able to explore certain promising locations. These are the factors we will be looking into when comparing both cities to identify which is cheaper.
The Cost of Accommodation, Feeding & Transportation in Phuket
A studio apartment for rent in the heart of Phuket (the city’s center) cost an average of 10,400 Thai Baht (308 USD) per month. Outside the city’s center, it can cost as much as 9,814 Thai Baht (291 USD). Hotel accommodations have an average cost of 3,239 Thai Baht (96 USD). Also at the city’s center, the average cost of a 3-bedroom apartment (ideal for family and friends) is 32,250 Thai Baht (956 USD). Outside the city’s center, such accommodation can go for as much as 24,375 Thai baht (722 USD).
It cost about 110 Thai Baht (3.3 USD) to dine at an inexpensive restaurant in Phuket. It cost 945 Thai Baht (28.2 USD) for two persons to dine three times a day at an average restaurant. A bottle of water costs 14 Thai Baht (0.4 USD) and 75 Thai Baht (2.2 USD) for a bottle of domestic beer.
Irrespective of where you are in Thailand, you will always have similar transportation systems, and Phuket is no different. These transportation systems include songthaews (local buses), tuk-tuks, motorcycles, and taxis. The cost of boarding songthaews in Phuket is in the same price range in Hua Hin. It is the cheapest mode of transportation with costs ranging from 15 to 20 Thai Baht (0.4 – 0.6 USD). Note that this price depends on how far is your journey. Tuk-tuks being a very common mode of transportation in Hua Hin cost around 100 to 400 Thai Baht (2.98 – 11.93 USD). Again, this price range depends on how far is your destination. Endeavor to agree on a certain price before boarding tuk-tuks to avoid embarrassing arguments at the end of the journey. Do not forget to exercise the will to bargain. There are lots of shops that do rent out motorcycles in Phuket. The average price for renting motorcycles is 200 Thai Baht (6 USD). Taxi is the most expensive form of transportation in Phuket. They do cost around 500 Thai Baht (15 USD). A mini-bus is an alternative to taxis and costs between 100 to 200 Thai Baht (2.9 – 5.9 USD).
The Cost of Accommodation, Feeding & Transportation in Hua Hin
The majority of three-star hotels and hostels in Hua Hin have their daily cost of accommodation set at 1,000 to 1,642 Thai Baht (31 – 49 USD). The average cost of accommodation at a luxury hotel is always around 10,518 Thai Baht (314 USD) per night. If you intend on staying in this area for longer periods, it is advisable to go with a monthly rent plan as the prices are reasonable. It cost around 12,250 Thai baht (365.8 USD) per month for a studio apartment in the heart of Hua Hin, the city’s center. Outside the city’s center, renting a studio apartment cost around 10, 437 Thai Baht (311.5 USD) per month. For a family stay, going with a three-bedroom apartment is advisable, and the cost of such an apartment at the city’s center is around 30,000 Thai Baht (895 USD) per month. It cost an average of 23,875 Thai Baht (712.5 USD) for a three-bedroom apartment outside of the city’s center.
Roadside food vendors often serve the cheapest, tasty meals in Hua Hin. Their prices are often set at 94.2 to 112.9 Thai Baht (2.81 – 3.37 USD) per plate or takeaway. The cost of two persons dining three times a day at an average restaurant is 1000 Thai Baht (29.8 USD). It cost about 11.50 Thai Baht (0.34 USD) for a bottle of water and 67.5 Thai Baht (2 USD) for a bottle of domestic beer.
It does not cost a fortune to move around Hua Hin. Just like Phuket, the major methods of transportation are motorcycles, tuk-tuks, songthaews, taxis, and buses. It cost about 33 Thai Baht (1 USD) to move around by motorcycle taxi. The most affordable form of transportation in Hua Hin is Songthaews, they cost around 10 to 20 Thai Baht (0.3 – 0.6 USD) per trip.
Our Verdict
Having reviewed the cost of accommodation, feeding, and transportation, it is safe to say that Hua Hin is cheaper compared to Phuket. The cost of accommodation in Hua Hin is cheaper when compared to that of Phuket, although the difference in cost is very minimal. It cost lesser to move around the city of Hua Hin as all transportation mediums used in this comparison appear to be cheaper. Compared to Phuket, the cost of feeding in Hua Hin is cheaper. The overall review appears to be in favor of Hua Hin, and as such, between Hua Hin and Phuket, the former is cheaper.
The Similarities Between Both Cities
Despite the difference in the cost of living in both cities, Hua Hin and Phuket are both great destinations for staycations. In both cities, you will find a handful of fun-filled activities you can engage in, relaxing spots such as spas with expert masseuses serving remarkable Thai massages. You can also find parks, and accommodation establishments such as villas, hotels, and hostels.
There also exist lots of restaurants on and off the streets. You can also find beautiful restaurants at the beachside, some with alfresco settings and romantic themes. Both locations are ideal for honeymoons filled with romance and fun. You can also go out with friends for simple dates at bars or restaurants. For travelers who miss their local dishes, certain restaurants can be seen around both cities serving western and international dishes.
Furthermore, both cities do have a lot to offer to adventure-seeking backpackers. In Hua Hin and Phuket, you will find renowned national parks and organized trips focused on site seeing and adventure. There exist waterfalls and caves to explore, as well as mountains for hiking and experiencing breathtaking views. The nightlife in both cities is colorful and entertains every.
How to Arrive at Both Cities
If at this point you have made up your mind to visit any of these cities, then you must be wondering how to arrive at your chosen destination, and which mode of transportation to take. In this section of this article, we will show some of the best methods to arrive at both cities.
How to Arrive at Hua Hin or Phuket from Bangkok
Hua Hin
From the country’s capital, Bangkok to Hua Hin is 200 kilometers with an average arrival time of two to three hours. You can either travel by train, bus, or taxi. If you decide to travel by bus there are a handful of bus travel services you can choose from. One of the most common bust travel services with a route to Hua Hin from Bangkok is the Southern Bus Terminal. With operational hours that begin at 6 am and end at 5 pm, It cost 230 Thai Baht (6.87 USD) to board a bus at the Southern Bus Terminal.
The Mochit New Van Terminal is an alternative to Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal. Here is where you will find vans and mini-buses en route to the city of Hua Hin. There are two departure times at this terminal; 6 am to 10 am and 12 pm to 2 pm. The cost of boarding vans or mini-buses at this terminal is similar to that of the Southern Bus Terminal; 230 Thai Baht. Other bus terminals in Bangkok heading for Hua Hin include Ekkamai Bus Terminal and Sombat Tour Viphavadee. The former cost 250 Thai Baht, has an arrival time of four hours and departs from 5 am, 11 am, and 2 pm. The latter cost 316 Thai Baht (9.4 USD), is equipped with air-conditioners, has an arrival time of 4 hours, and departs from 6, 8 am, 2, and 6 pm.
Bang Sue Junction is where you will find the State Railway of Thailand with operational trains heading for Hua Hin. These trains are operational three times a day, take approximately 3 hours to arrive, and cost as much as 66.88 t – 1,170 Thai Baht (2 – 35 USD) for tickets.
Phuket
Just like Hua Hin, buses, trains, and flights are the most common transportation methods used to arrive at Phuket. Currently, Bangkok does not have direct trains heading for Phuket, so passengers who wish to have the experience of boarding a train are advised to take a train heading for Singapore and stop at Phun Phin railway. It will take about 5 hours to arrive at Phuket by bus from Phun Phin. Surat Thani Province is where you can find the Phun Phin railway.
The most convenient and reliable way to travel to Phuket from Bangkok is by boarding a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal. However, the arrival time is way longer (13 hours). At different prices, you can find both non-air-conditioned and air-conditioned buses. You can also arrive at Phuket from Bangkok by boarding buses operated by the BKS terminal.
After the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, the second busiest airport in Thailand is the Phuket International Airport. This makes arriving at Phuket by flight possible. At Phuket International airport you will find two terminals. One terminal is used for domestic flights while the other is used for international flights. It is easy to board a flight from Bangkok to Phuket as the Phuket International Airport receives daily flights from Bangkok.
How to Arrive at Hua Hin and Phuket from Pattaya
Hua Hin
323 kilometers is the overall distance from Pattaya to Hua Hin, and ferries, vans, and buses are the easiest and most common ways of commuting to Hua Hin. Ferries leave by 1 pm for Hua Hin and often take two to three hours to arrive. The Bali Hai Pier is where these ferries can be found. A trip costs as much as 1,250 Thai Baht (37.4 USD).
Modern-day buses heading for Hua Hin can be found at Pattaya’s Northern Bus Station. It takes about 6 hours to arrive and a fee of 510 Thai Baht (15.3 USD). A private taxi or a mini-van is a more comfortable way to arrive at Hua Hin from Pattaya, although such services do cost as much as 3400 Thai Baht (101.8 USD) or 5,500 Thai Baht (164.72 USD).
Phuket
A bus is a very common and good mode of transportation from Pattaya to Phuket. The distance between both cities is just 613 miles with an average arrival time of 17 hours. It cost as much as 1,570 (47 USD) per trip. You can also find cheaper transportation costs depending on the transportation services you choose. Do note that there will be two stopovers before arriving at your destination.
An alternative mode of transportation when traveling to Phuket from Pattaya is taking a train. However, this trip will take approximately 19 hours to arrive at the Surat Thani Train Station in Phuket and will cost as much as 2,639 Thai Baht (79 USD) for an average ticket. The railroad that links both cities is about 647 miles and takes about 25 stopovers to arrive at your destination.
How to Arrive at Hua Hin and Phuket from Chiang Mai
Hua Hin
From Chiang Mai to Hua Hin is about 885 Kilometers and it takes about 11 hours to arrive at Hua Hin from Northern Thailand’s largest city. There are about three different ways to arrive at Hua Hin from Chiang Mai, two of which require stopping at Bangkok. The first option is to board a flight and it requires stopping at Bangkok. From there, you will have to take a train, taxi, or bus to the resort town, Hua Hin. The second option is to use a bus as a mode of transportation. Find your way to the Chiang Mai Bus Terminal to board a bus, their departure times are 6 and 7 pm. It cost about 1,220 Thai Baht (36.4 USD).
The third option is to depart for Hua Hin from Chiang Mai by train. This option also requires stopping at Bangkok and it cost about 2,500 Thai Baht (74 USD). The cost of a trip by train depends on the type of ticket and train station you choose. It takes about 14 hours to arrive in Bangkok from Chang Mai. From Bangkok, you can either board a train, bus, or taxi to Hua Hin.
Phuket
There are three modes of transportation from Chiang Mai to Hua Hin. One can either travel by flight, train, or bus. With Phuket being 992 miles away from Chiang Mai, there exist convenient bus routes which take an arrival time of 26 hours. The average cost of tickets is 2,342 Thai Baht (70 USD). During your bus trip, you may have about 7 stopovers. If you find yourself in Chiang Mai, you may want to go over to Greenbus Thailand to board a bus to Phuket Bus Terminal 2.
If you choose to travel by train, that will be a comfortable and safe mode of transportation. The railroad to Surat Thani Train Station in Phuket from Chiang Mai is about 1000 miles. It takes about 25 hours to arrive at Phuket. It cost about 2,409 Thai Baht (72 USD) for an average ticket.
Taking flights from Chiang Mai to Phuket is the most comfortable and easiest way of traveling to Phuket. The flight route to Phuket from Chiang Mai is 738 miles and it takes approximately 2 hours of flight time. The average price for a flight ticket from Chiang Mai to Phuket is around 3,345 Thai Baht (100 USD). Do note that this price does fluctuate from time to time.
Conclusion
Is Hua Hin cheaper than Phuket? Yes, it is. However, the difference in cost is very minimal and both cities are great destinations with promises of lots of fun and entertainment. They offer great avenues for shopping, adventure, and creating good memories. The streets in both cities are filled with bars, restaurants, pubs, etc. Arriving at both cities will require similar transportation methods such bus, trains, taxis, etc. It would also be in your best interest to note that both cities are vacation destinations often filled with tourists and backpackers seeking fun and adventure, so it will be wise to make transportation reservations to avoid high costs.
